JAVMANewsSubsection

Accolades

Academia

Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine awarded three alumni the 2009 Stange Award for Meritorious Service.

Dr. Thomas J. Johnson (ISU '71) has been the executive director of the Iowa VMA since 2002. He has improved the VMA's membership numbers and continuing education offerings and increased its political engagement with the state legislature. Dr. Johnson's leadership of the IVMA has influenced the creation of Iowa legislation that improves animal and human health. Dr. Johnson previously owned and operated a small animal clinic in his hometown of Spencer, Iowa.

Dr. Michael J. Langford (ISU '77) is the research operation director for the Department of Homeland Security's National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasure Center in Frederick, Md. Dr. Langford has devoted nearly 30 years to the development of vaccines and therapeutics for bioterrorism agents and infectious diseases. He is recognized as one of the leading authorities in biodefense research. During the past 10 years, Dr. Langford has held several senior leadership positions in the biodefense industry. Prior to this, Dr. Langford served 22 years in the US Army, retiring with the rank of colonel.

Dr. Allen Y. Miyahara (ISU '54) is the AVMA's ambassador for the Pacific Rim. The title was given to him in 1999 to promote the 2006 AVMA Annual Convention in Hawaii. Since then, he has continued to represent the AVMA among his colleagues in China, Japan, and elsewhere. He also has been an advocate and promoter of veterinary continuing education, organizing one of the earliest programs about the human-animal bond, in 1980. Dr. Miyahara served as the AVMA vice president from 1995-1997 and represented Hawaii in the AVMA House of Delegates from 1970-1995.